"Not on that subject, please. There will be another time," came the polite response from the country's top politician to reporters at the Cabinet's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

Pressed further to open up and comment on the meeting, Abdullah, who was in a jovial mood after receiving thousands of guests and visitors at the open house, again pleaded: "No...I am not talking on that subject...there will be a time for that".

The prime minister, however, said the huge turnout at today's open house, which attracted nearly 200,000 people from all walks of life, demonstrated that the people had confidence in him.

"I believe those who came are happy. Some told me keep on going with the good job. We will support you (they said). There are some who are happy and some not. People give me confidence...I like to meet the people," Abdullah added.

Dr Mahathir has been criticising Abdullah's administration of the government and the economy, especially in the last six months.

The former prime minister had expressed discontentment over various issues like the scrapping of a proposed bridge linking Malaysia and Singapore and the issuance of Approved Permits (APs) for imported vehicles.

On Sunday, the two leaders met at the official residence of the Prime Minister where Dr Mahathir aired his grouses for about one-and-a-half hours.

Soon after the meeting, Dr Mahathir said that although he was satisfied that the meeting took place, he was not happy with the response he got from Abdullah.

Abdullah was reported to have taken note of the grouses in a notebook.

Monday, Dr Mahathir repeated his criticisms on Abdullah at a press conference.

The renewed tirade from Dr Mahathir has elicited comments from ministers and senior Umno politicians coming out in defence of the prime minister.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government would respond to Dr Mahathir's allegations and on Abdullah's leadership.

Najib said Abdullah would give a "long and detailed" answer to all the questions and clarifications sought by his predecessor.

"I have spoken to Pak Lah (Abdullah) and he is prepared to answer the issues raised by Tun Dr Mahathir in great detail. The answers will be given at a meeting or in writing...it's up to the Prime Minister," said Najib, who was also at the open house.